Digital Textile Printing

RA Smart is recognised for its work in pioneering the industry's transition to using digital print technology. With it, came a new world where the use of colour had no limitations, minimum orders were a thing of the past and there was no ceiling on repeat sizes.

Through the growing use of digital, the UK is once again recognised as a realistic manufacturing base for fashion fabrics. It makes sound sense for designers to have fabrics printed here for a whole host of reasons, not simply for ease of forwarding to Europe and the US. It also makes good environmental sense too: printing digitally uses half the ink of screen printing methods and results in far less waste being discharged into the drains. There is no washing of screens or changing colours, so water consumption is reduced by approximately half. Carbon emissions are reduced still further, with road travel removed from the process - there are no screens to transport for printing, as everything is done by email.

The flexibility afforded by the digital process is such that we are able to produce a single metre of 40 designs in a 40 metre print-run for example, which can then be easily split, as opposed to a 40 metre run of the same design. This freedom, coupled with the fact that bright colours can be used at a fraction of the cost compared to screen methods, is encouraging innovative use of colour and intricate design at all levels, which can only be good for the fashion and soft-furnishing industries. Minimum quantities and colours are a thing of the past and the idea of printing designs using in excess of 30 colours is breathing freedom into the creative process.

Director of print is Alison Smart, who can be reached on 01625 576255.

 

Designer launches new scarf range all printed and manufactured in the UK for more information please click the link www.dominiquemosley.com